Czech aerospace company seeks deeper defence cooperation with Bulgaria

Czech company Aero Vodochody Aerospace intends to expand its cooperation with Bulgaria in the fields of combat aviation and the defence industry, the company said. Representatives of AERO are part of the business delegation led by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Bulgaria, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček.

During the visit, AERO and Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence will sign a memorandum of cooperation, which is expected to pave the way for further concrete projects, CE Report quotes BTA.

The memorandum focuses, among other areas, on the potential use of Bulgarian military training areas and ranges for testing and further development of AERO's L-39 Skyfox aircraft. Bulgaria could therefore contribute to further developing the capabilities of the Czech aircraft, the manufacturer said.

Another key area of potential future cooperation is the involvement of Bulgarian companies and the country's defence industry in the L-39 Skyfox programme. Specific areas of industrial cooperation will be discussed further between AERO, the Bulgarian side and potential local partners.

The planned expansion of cooperation also includes the potential use of L-39 Skyfox aircraft by the Bulgarian Air Force as part of the modernization of Bulgaria's Air Force and the introduction of F-16 Block 70 multirole fighter aircraft into service. AERO said that training pilots for modern fourth- and fifth-generation combat aircraft is one of the key roles for which the L-39 Skyfox was developed.

The Czech manufacturer also said that the aircraft can perform additional operational missions, including a "Drone Hunter" role designed to help protect airspace against unmanned aerial threats.

According to AERO, Bulgarian Air Force representatives and pilots have already become familiar with the Skyfox both in the Czech Republic and in Bulgaria. In July 2025, then-President Rumen Radev personally familiarized himself with the capabilities of the new L-39 Skyfox advanced training and light combat aircraft during a meeting with representatives of the Czech company's management.

AERO recalled that it has longstanding ties with the Bulgarian Air Force, dating back to its operation of L-39 Albatros aircraft. In August 2025, the company completed the overhaul and partial modernization of four Bulgarian L-39ZA aircraft, including their engines. The modernized aircraft continue to be used, among other roles, for training Bulgarian military pilots.

AERO President and Chairman of the Board Viktor Sotona said that signing the memorandum was "a logical next step" in the company's longstanding partnership with Bulgaria. He said AERO saw significant potential for Bulgarian defence-industry companies to become involved in the Skyfox programme and for the two countries to develop a long-term industrial partnership.

The company now aims to build on its longstanding cooperation with the Bulgarian Air Force through further projects.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev welcomed Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš with an official ceremony at St Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia earlier today. The two prime ministers are scheduled to officially open the Bulgarian-Czech Business Forum on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo: Chat GPT